Drones have been such a success that almost everyone owns a drone today.
They are a wide variety of drones on the market including toy drones, the best mini drone, professional camera drones and others
These unmanned aerial vehicles are fun to fly, perform tasks that can cost a lot, or go places that would otherwise be dangerous for humans.
However, there is a major downside to these units that users experience which is short flight times.
Fortunately, manufacturers are trying their best to tackle this issue and improve the flight times of their drones.
They are implementing the newest technologies available to give you more time in the air.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the drone flight time of various models from different manufacturers.
Drone
Features
Price
- Drone Flight Time: 5 longest flying time drone
- Tips to improve drone flight time
- Flying in the right conditions
- Flying conservatively
- Reduce the weight of your drone
- Change the drone’s propeller size.
- Upgrade your battery
- Charge batteries a few hours before flying
- Follow battery care best practices
- Buy extra batteries
- Upgrade your drone
- Final thoughts: longest flight time drones
Drone Flight Time: 5 longest flying time drone
- Flight range: 5 miles
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Weight: 40 0z
The Autel Robotics EVO II is a feature-rich and powerful unit on the market.
This bright orange monster has a flight time of 40 minutes thanks to its 7100 mAh battery.
Flight performance is excellent with the 12 omnidirectional avoidance sensors that give pilots the confidence and protection to fly safely and navigate in tight spaces.
The remote controller allows you to stay in control of the longest flying time drone at all times and comes with a built-in 3.3 inch OLED display.
This means that you can change the camera settings and adjust flight parameters right from the controller without the need for a smartphone.
You’ll be able to fly this unit out to 5 miles and it can reach top speeds of 45 miles per hour(mph).
The camera capabilities of this follow me drone is worth boasting about since it is one of the very first consumer drones to shoot 8k camera resolution videos.
Don’t worry, photos are of awesome quality as well as the camera is also capable of capturing stunning 40 MP photos for commercial and professional use.
The most unique feature of the EVO II is the ability to change out the gimbal payload.
You can alternate between the 8K sensor, 6K Pro sensor, or the Dual sensor that combines an 8K sensor with a thermal sensor.
- 40 MINUTES OF STABLE FLIGHT TIME: From inspecting electrical cell towers to surveying property...
- LIGHTWEIGHT FOLDABLE DESIGN: Deployed in under 30 seconds, the 2.5lb EVO II is ideal for rapid...
- PATENTED LOCKING PROPELLER DESIGN: No tools required, quick release foldable propellers for the EVO...
- INTERCHANGEABLE PAYLOADS: Designed for versatile operations, pilots can alternate between the 8K,...
- LIVE CONTROLLER VIDEO FEED: Control almost all aspects of your mission right off the 3.3 inch OLED...
- Flight range: 6.2 miles
- Flight time: 34 minutes
- Weight: 20.10 oz
The DJI Mavic Air 2 comes from the drone manufacturer, DJI which has been dominating this market.
DJI’s lineup includes some of the best quadcopters with long flight time with this unit standing above the rest.
The redesigned electronics and battery allow the Mavic Air 2 to stay aloft longer to provide a flight time of 34 minutes.
The unit is capable of achieving speeds up to 42.5 miles per hour(mph) and the in-flight experience is quite smooth and trouble-free.
This is because the drone is equipped with front, rear, and bottom obstacle detecting sensors and the latest version of the Advanced Pilot Assistance System(APAS).
The controller has also gone through a complete redesign and is almost twice the size of other DJI controllers.
This makes it more comfortable to hold and offers a video transition range of up to 6 miles which is due to the implementation of the new and improved OcuSync 2.0.
It can be used with the DJI Fly app which requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above.
The camera on this drone comes with a half-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor and can record 4K videos at 60 FPS and capture both 12 MP and for the MP photos.
- 【UP YOUR GAME】: The Mavic Air 2 camera drone takes power and portability to the next level. It...
- 【NEXT-LEVEL CONTENT】: Capture impressive 48MP photos with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor while the...
- 【IMPROVED FLIGHT】: An impressive flight time of up to 34 minutes allows you to pull off epic,...
- 【INTELLIGENT TRACKING】: Mavic Air 2 features intuitive shooting functions that make aerial...
- 【APP COMPATIBILITY】: The DJI Fly app requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above. Compatible...
- 【WHAT YOU GET】: Mavic Air 2 Aircraft, Remote Controller, 3x Intelligent Flight Battery, 6x...
- 【VIDEO CAPTURE RESOLUTION】: 4K HD
- Flight range: 5 miles
- Flight time: 31 minutes
- Weight: 26 oz
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro Is an excellent unit with a long flight time and a slew of high-performance specifications that are bound to impress.
It also has a long transmission range of 5 miles and can reach maximum speeds of 44 mph.
This unit offers 31 minutes of flight time and comes with a host of intelligent flight features to make it easier when piloting the drone.
It uses an automatic and omnidirectional optical avoidance system to improve flight performance.
This drone was designed to optimize propulsion, lower power consumption, and reduce noise.
Professionals will like the 4K UHD Hasselblad camera attached to the drone that captures breathtaking aerial videos and 20MP photos.
The one-inch CMOS sensor is larger than most and allows for enhanced image resolution and higher quality videos even in low light situations.
While shooting 4K footage at 100 MBS the 3-axis gimbal stabilizes the camera mid-air to capture distortion-free imagery and clear details during flight.
To control this DJI Mavic 2 Pro, you can use the standard remote controller that offers up to 135 minutes of battery life on a full charge.
You’ll also have to use it in conjunction with the DJI GO 4 app on your smartphone.
- Equipped with a Hasselblad L1D-20c camera with a 20MP 1” CMOS Sensor, the Mavic 2 camera drone...
- Up to 31 minutes flight time, 44 mph max speed, 907G takeoff weight, 3-axis gimbal for steady shots,...
- Functions include ActiveTrack 2.0, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, Hyperlapse, Low-Noise Design,...
- The standard remote controller offers up to 135 minutes of battery life on a full charge. Use with...
- DJI GO 4 App requires iOS 10.0.2, Android 5.0 or above. Compatible devices include: iPhone 11 Pro...
- What you get: DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Intelligent Flight Battery, Gimbal Protector, Remote Controller, 3x...
- Flight range: 2.50 miles
- Flight time: 25 minutes
- Weight: 11.3 oz
The Parrot Anafi drone is a lightweight and portable drone available today.
Despite its small size and weight, this drone is a powerful unit that offers 25 minutes of flying time, thanks to its 2500mAh battery.
This drone is ultra-compact and can be folded to fit into a backpack for easy transport.
It can be unfolded and in the air in less than 3 seconds to capture stunning videos and photos.
The camera is equipped with an f/2.4 wide-angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital zoom to capture 4K videos, Full HD or 2.7K videos, and 21MP stills.
The unit’s 3-axis stabilization system helps to keep pictures and video footage stable while the 180° gimbal, tracking A.I., and photo modes deliver professional results every time.
You can use your Android or iOS smartphone and the FreeFlight 6 app with the Skycontroller 3 to exploit all of the features Anafi has to offer.
You can use the dual thumbsticks to pilot the drone or choose any of the flight solutions offered in the app.
- This drone with a camera equipped with f/2.4 wide angle ASPH lens, HDR, and up to 2.8 times digital...
- The ANAFI Parrot Drone can have up to 25 minutes of filmed flight time thanks to an intelligent...
- With its ultra-compact and lightweight carbon frame (320 g), this quadcopter drone unfolds in less...
- Equipped with a Parrot Skycontroller 3 folding remote control, the ANAFI Parrot Drone can be located...
- Software updates can make changes to existing features, further enhance ANAFI’s reliability and...
- Egyptian (Publication Language)
- Flight range: 1 mile
- Flight time: 28 minutes
- Weight: 20.46 oz
The Yuneec Typhoon H Plus Hexacopter lets you sacrifice nothing when it comes to stability and image quality.
It also comes with a decent flight time of 25 minutes and although it offers less flight time than most on our list, this drone is one of the safest units to fly.
This is because of its GPS stabilized flight control functions, 5 rotor fall-safes, and 8 smart flight modes.
Moreover, this drone can stay in the air even if it loses one of its rotors and allows you to land the unit safely.
To further help with in-flight safety, Intel’s RealSense Technology provides object detection and collision avoidance.
It is equipped with a 20MP camera to capture breathtaking stills and 4K videos.
The camera is attached to a large six-rotor airframe that can withstand winds exceeding 35mph.
Meanwhile, the 3-axis gimbal adds extra stabilization to the unit in flight and is capable of continuous rotation for 360-degree image capture.
For control, the Yuneec Typhoon H Plus Hexacopter comes with an ST16S Ground Station remote controller.
This Android-powered transmitter comes with a large 7 inches built-in touch screen where you can activate any of the intelligent flight modes or manually operate your drone.
- Capture 4K Video and 20MP Photos. 360-Degree Image and Video Capture. 3-Axis Sensor-Driven Image...
- Up to 1 Mile 2.4/5.8 GHz Wi-Fi Range. Flight Controller with 7" Touch Screen.
- Up to 30 Minutes of Flight Time.
- Intel RealSense Collision Avoidance. Intelligent Autonomous Flight Modes.
- Can Withstand Winds up to 35 mph. 5-Rotor Fail Safe Mode.
Tips to improve drone flight time
Choosing any of the above-mentioned drones will give you sufficient time in the air.
However, there are a few tips to improve your drone flight time.
These include:
Flying in the right conditions
Try to avoid flying during high winds, rain or snowy conditions to prolong flight time.
Doing so will drastically shorten flight time and drain your battery faster because your drone will need more power to fight bad weather.
You need to also keep in mind that most drones are not waterproof so you have to take extra precautions when flying in rain or snow.
The best time to fly is when the sky is clear and there is little to no wind.
Flying conservatively
If you fly your drone aggressively at full throttle, high speeds, or change directions abruptly, your drone battery will drain a whole lot faster than you’d think.
Of course, it is fun to race your drone and perform flips and tricks in the sky but if you’re trying to conserve battery power it’s best not to perform these stunts that use a lot of battery power.
If your main concern is to get more time in the air then you should fly conservatively and smoothly to increase flight time.
Reduce the weight of your drone
You can reduce the weight of your drone by trying a few different methods.
If you are a pro pilot then you can take off the propeller guards which will reduce some of the weight.
Propeller guards protect the drone propellers during the flight but they also add weight and it’s highly unlikely that a pro pilot is going to lose control of their drone causing it to crash.
However, only remove the profiler guards if you are confident in your flying abilities because removing them does leave your drone at risk in the event of a crash.
Another option to remove weight from your drone is if it comes with a removable camera.
Cameras are usually bulky and add quite a bit of weight so if you are not taking any photos or videos it’s best to remove them.
You can also try taking off any sticker skins or additional pieces or accessories to reduce the weight of your drone and increase your flight time.
Change the drone’s propeller size.
You’ll find that most drones come with mid-size propellers that can be changed out for a different size.
Larger propellers can improve battery life because they create more lift which means that your drone does not have to work as hard to stay in the air.
However, if speed is something you want then a smaller propeller would work best.
Before upgrading to a larger propeller size do some research to see if others have had success using a bigger or a smaller propeller.
This is because every drone is different and will not perform the same.
You will have to experiment a bit before you find what works for you and fits your demands.
Upgrade your battery
In some instances, the battery that comes with your drone may not be the best you can get.
If you find that your battery just doesn’t cut it you can buy a new one that is compatible with your unit.
You can ask to go with a battery that has a higher image but make sure it has the same voltage as the one that came with your unit.
Check your drone’s specification to see what is the maximum mAh you can use.
Remember to keep in mind to keep the weight of the new battery as well as a heavier battery can add weight which will decrease flight time as well.
Charge batteries a few hours before flying
Batteries start to self-discharge after you remove them from the charger.
They may lose a percentage of charge for every hour off the charger.
Some batteries like lithium polymer self discharge slower than other types of batteries.
However, no matter the type of battery or drone uses try to charge the batteries a few hours before you fly.
Follow battery care best practices
To extend the life of your battery you need to follow all battery care best practices.
Some of the best practices are:
- Don’t store a fully charged or discharged battery for an extended period.
- Never drain the battery all the way
- Store batteries at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated area
- Fully charge your batteries before your first flight and after long periods of storage
- Never allow a battery to completely drain itself
- Monitor the battery level during the flight if possible
- Use caution when handling your battery
- Never alter puncture throw or bend the battery
- Do not use the battery if there is any damage, deformation, Weird smell, or leakage
- Inspect batteries before and after each flight
Buy extra batteries
This does not exactly improve flight time but it’ll expand flight time once you swap out the depleted battery for a freshly charged one.
Spare batteries work in situations where you have to fly over large areas as a single battery may not have enough power to cover that entire area.
On average lithium batteries can be charged and drained between 300 and 500 times before they need to be replaced.
However, it is always recommended to keep spares handy just in case problems arise.
Upgrade your drone
If all else fails then you will have to upgrade to the longest flight time drone if you want more time in the air.
There are many options out there and all it requires is a little bit of digging to find the perfect one that fits your needs
If you are not sold on the idea of doing research you can check out the few units that we’ve mentioned in this article.
Final thoughts: longest flight time drones
Well, there you have our list of the longest flying drones available on the market today.
As you can see, the drone with longest flight time on our list is the Autel Robotics II.
However, your top pick may be different so make sure to go through the list and read through the specifications to ensure they meet your needs.
We have also included a few tips to increase your unit’s flight time and enjoy more time in the sky.
You can check out our drone battery life post for more tips and the longest battery life drones post for more drones.
On the other hand, if you need a long range drone, then read this long range drone article.
Drone
Features
Price